Jun 01

Memorial Day 2018–Honoring and Remembering

Honoring and remembering. That is what Memorial Day is all about.

This past Monday, Memorial Day, Joe and I participated in Willshire’s Memorial Day Parade. It had been several years since I attended Willshire’s Memorial Day observance. The last time was probably when my dad was still living. He was a member of the American Legion and he always enjoyed driving his military Jeep in the parade. So it was very nice to attend their parade and memorial service again this year.

Walking in Willshire’s Memorial Day Parade, 2018.

It was a nice, hot, sunny morning. A couple of Chatt friends told me that Aleta was wanting people to carry photos of family veterans in the parade. I liked the idea and wanted to participate. Sherry was kind enough to have my dad’s photo enlarged for me and I mounted it on foam board. She and several others did the same and walked in the parade.

We enjoyed visiting while we waited for the parade to begin.

Sherry & Karen with photos before the parade. Photos of Jack August, Roland Marbaugh & Herb Miller.

Jerry Duff with photo of Gene Duff.

Cheryl & her family with John Reynolds photos.

I ran into my cousin Chris and her daughter Emma.

I carried my dad’s photo in the parade.

We walked in the parade, led by the American Legion and Parkway’s band to the Willshire Cemetery.

American Legion & Parkway Band at Willshire Cemetery, 2018.

Memorial Service at Willshire Cemetery, 2018.

Memorial Service at Willshire Cemetery, 2018.

Joe with my dad’s photo at Willshire Cemetery, 2018.

The ceremony was patriotic and moving and featured speaker Brandon Baker. The service ended with a 21-gun salute and the group went on the St. Marys River bridge to honor those who served at sea.

On the day before Joe and I went through Willshire Home Furnishings’ Memorial Day Celebration, which honored past and present military veterans.

Aleta, Willshire Home Furnishings, Memorial Day, 2018. She always puts an awesome display together!

Memorial Day Celebration, Willshire Home Furnishings, 2018. Over 150 uniforms on display, as well as other items.

Fritz Schumm, WWII, my second cousin once removed.

Fritz’s grandson Galen, also a distant cousin.

Carey Wayne Ellenberger, killed in Vietnam, my second cousin.

A portion of the military display, with my dad’s Army jacket & photo.

I talked to several people who had family members who served in WWII and most said that their loved ones never really talked much about the war. It wasn’t until after they had passed away, when the family was going through stored-away items, that they learned more about their war service. They often learned that their father/husband/brother had been a hero. But the veterans just never talked much about it.

My dad was pretty much the same way, but he would talk about his service when asked. Back around 1999 I “interviewed” my dad about his war service and thank goodness I wrote down what he told me.

I will write about some of his stories next week.

May 29

Tombstone Tuesday–Louis C. Fisher

Louis C Fisher, Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2017 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Louis C. Fisher, located in row 12 of Kessler Cemetery (aka Liberty Cemetery), Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Louis C
Sohn von
J.C. & M.A. Fischer
Gestorben
Den 5 Jul 1876
Alter
2 Jahr, 5 Mo, 28 Tag

Louis C. Fisher, son of J.C. & M.A. Fischer died 5 July 1876, age 2 years, 5 months, 28 days.

Although this surname is spelled Fischer on the tombstone, the Fishers around Chatt, including the others in this family, spelled their name as Fisher.

Louis Charles Fisher was born in Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, on 7 February 1874, the son of John Christian and Mary Ann (Bollenbacher) Fisher. His mother’s maiden name was recorded as Bollenbaugh on his birth record. [1]

Louis lived and died between census enumerations so very little is known about him.

Louis C. Fisher died of scarlet fever in Liberty Township on 5 July 1876. His death record gives his age as 2 years and 5 months, which differs slightly from his tombstone inscription. [2]

In fact, his birth date, as calculated from his age at death as inscribed on his tombstone, does not agree with his date of birth on his county birth record. I feel the county birth record is probably the more accurate record.

His sister Carolina E. Fisher (1872-1873) is buried next to him and his parents are buried a few rows away in Kessler Cemetery.

 

[1] “Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003, database with images, FamilySearch.org, Charles Fisher, 7 Feb 1874; Liberty Township, Mercer County, Births, Vol. 1, p.130, no. 430; FHL microfilm 914953.

[2] “Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001,” database with images, FamilySearch.org, Lewis C Fisher, 5 Jul 1876; Liberty Township, Mercer County Deaths, Vol. 1-2, p.86, no. 150; FHL microfilm 914, 954.

May 25

Memorial Day 2018

This coming Monday we celebrate Memorial Day, a federal holiday that was originally called Decoration Day and traditionally marks the beginning of summer. It is a day to remember those who died in military service for our country as well as those who served our country and are now deceased. It is also day to decorate the gravestones of loved ones.

Elm Grove Cem, St. Marys, Auglaize Co, OH (2013 photo by Karen)

Just about every local town has a Memorial Day parade and I plan to be in one this year. Willshire’s Memorial Day Parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. Monday and area residents are invited to participate and carry photos of their family members who served in the military. I plan to carry my dad’s photo in Monday’s parade. The parade will walk to the Willshire Cemetery where a Memorial Day service will be held.

Speaking of Willshire, Willshire Home Furnishings has turned their store into a make-shift military museum again this year. They will have a display of over 160 military uniforms, plus photos, flags, maps, and letters from local servicemen on Saturday, Sunday, and Memorial Day from 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. each day. It is a wonderful display and well worth the visit. My dad’s photo and Army jacket will be on display there.

Memorial Day Celebration at Willshire Home Furnishings. (2015 photo by Karen)

Uniforms, photos, and other items on display at Willshire Home Furnishings. (2015 photo by Karen)

Memorial Day began as a way to remember and honor both Union and Confederate soldiers who were killed in battle during the Civil War. In 1868 the 30th of May was officially proclaimed as the day to decorate their graves. After WWI Memorial Day was extended to honor Americans who died in all wars. Today most Americans use this holiday as a time to decorate grave sites, whether the deceased served in the military or not.

Memorial Day was declared a U.S. federal holiday in 1971 and is now observed the last Monday in May. In December 2000 the National Moment of Remembrance resolution was passed, which asks all Americans to pause at 3:00 p.m. local time and reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day.

Resthaven Memory Gardens, Auglaize County, Ohio. (2014 by Karen)

Some things to do on Memorial Day:

  • Take time to reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day and the sacrifices made for our freedom.
  • Attend a Memorial Day Service at a local cemetery or park.
  • Attend a local Memorial Day parade.
  • Fly the American flag.
  • Visit a cemetery and decorate a grave with flowers.
  • Visit the Memorial Day Celebration museum at Willshire Home Furnishings.

Finally, remember to observe proper flag etiquette on Memorial Day:

  • The American flag should be flown at half-staff until noon and then raised to full-staff.
  • During a parade there may be several participants with a flag and it is appropriate to salute only the first flag as it passes by.
  • As the first flag passes everyone should show respect by standing at attention with their right hand over their heart.
  • Those in uniform should give their appropriate formal salute.

The past few months I have been transcribing and posting my dad’s WWII letters and photos. Here are a couple of photos of some of my dad and some of his friends from Zion Chatt who also served in WWII:

Herb on furlough, at Zion Chatt with Fred Betzel and Donald Hoblet, November 1944.

Carl Ripley, WWII era.

Murlin Miller, my dad’s cousin, Marines, WWII, Korea, Viet Nam.

Have a nice Memorial Day weekend, everyone, and take some time to remember those who unselfishly served our country.

May 22

Tombstone Tuesday–Carolina E. Fisher

Carolina E. Fisher, Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2017 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Carolina Elizabeth Fisher, located in row 12 of Kessler, aka Liberty Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker, broken and resting on the ground, is inscribed:

Carolina E Fisher
Tochter
J.C. & M.A.
Fisher
Gest
Nov 20, 1873
Alter
1 J 10 M & 7 T

Carolina E. Fisher, daughter of J.C. & M.A. Fisher, died 20 November 1873, aged 1 year, 10 months, and 7 days.

Carolina Elizabeth Fisher was born 13 January 1872, at the family home in Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. She was daughter of John Christian and Mary Ann (Bollenbacher) Fisher. Her mother’s name was spelled Bullengbaugh in her county birth record. [1]   

Carolina died of whooping cough at home in Liberty Township on 20 November 1873. She was only 1 year, 10 months, and 2 days old. [2]

According to her tombstone she was 1 year, 10 months, and 7 days old, which would agree with age according to her recorded date of birth.

Her parents are buried a few rows away in Kessler Cemetery.

 

[1] “Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003, database with images, FamilySearch.org, Caroline Fisher, 18 Jan 1872; Liberty Township, Mercer County, Births, Vol. 1, p.74, no. 277; FHL microfilm 914953.

[2] “Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001,” database with images, FamilySearch.org, Elizabeth C Fisher, 20 Nov 1873; Liberty Township, Mercer County Deaths, Vol. 1-2, p.44, no. 2; FHL microfilm 914, 954.

May 18

Dear Mom & All–WWII Letters from Herb (part 21)

Memorial Day is about a week away and a good time to post a few more transcriptions of my dad’s WWII letters and photos. Today’s letters are from May and June, 1945, 73 years ago. [1]

My dad, Herbert Miller, was trained as a replacement troop during the fall of 1944. After he arrived in Europe he was assigned to Company L, 333rd Regiment, 84th Infantry Division, known as the Railsplitters. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium and later in parts of Luxembourg and Germany.

My dad wrote quite a few letters home during the time he served our country in Europe during WWII and his family saved most of them. I have most of the letters he wrote to his parents, Carl and Gertrude (Brewster) Miller, and to his sister Em and her husband Norval “Jack”.

Below is a letter to my dad’s sister Em and her husband Norval “Jack.” He wrote the letter on 28 May 1945, but the inner postmark shows Rockford, 25 Aug 1945. The war in Europe was over by that time and my dad was part of the Occupation Forces.

Road signs in Germany, WWII.

28 May 1945
Germany

Dear Em & Jack,

I have a picture to send so decided to write a couple of lines. From what I hear youins have been having pretty bad weather. Do you have any corn out yet? Wait a minute. Speaking of corn, about a week ago our squad was detailed to guard a distillery which contained about three thousand gallons of corn liquor. We had the guard for about two weeks. Some fun!

These pictures I’m sending home I developed myself. The pictures were taken by a couple of other guys and Portor and I developed the smaller prints.

Must close for now. Am feeling fine and hope you are thee same.

Love,
Herbie

P.S. Please send a package.

These may have been a couple of the photos he talked about in this letter. These photos were labeled, taken in Schriesheim, 1945:

Sgt. Fenn, Cpt. McGee, Sgt. Mueller, Cpl Thornton, Herb Miller; Schriesheim, Germany 1945.

Sgt. Mueller, Cpl. Meyer, Cpl. Thornton, Herbert Miller; Strahlenburg Castle, Schriesheim, Germany, 1945.

Sgt. George Mueller, Strahlenburg Castle, Schriesheim, Germany, 1945.

Taken from Strahlenburg Castle, Schriesheim, Germany, 1945.

The next letter was written on the same Railsplitter stationery, written to his parents. He wrote the letter 30 May 1945 and the inner post stamp is Berne, 25 Jun 1945.

30 May 1945
Germany

Dear Mom & All,

Just came in from retreat and rifle inspection. They showed another show today, something about Blondie and Dagwood.

I now have five more points. Tonight at retreat the company commander called seven of us guys up to the front of the formation and presented the Purple Heart to us. I imagine it is for the time when the shrapnel busted my wrist watch. It did cut a gash in my thumb.

I now have 36 points. That is just about ½ enough. But I’ve been in the Army only eleven months and most of the guys that have over 85 points have been in the Army three or four years.

How is everything coming along on the farm? Do you have any corn out yet? They last I heard it was still pretty wet around there.

You asked if I received the Celina Standard and The Willshire Herald. Yes I receive both of them and have been for quite a while. I thought that I mentioned it.

I received the fountain pen. Thanks a lot. It really writes good. I am using it now.

Must close for now. Will try ad write often.

Love,
Herbie

P.S. Please send a box of cookies and home-baked fruit cake. That real good kind that you have been sending.

P.S. #2 The picture enclosed is of my platoon guide S/Sgt. Lawrence Broderick. He used to be my squad leader. (20 years old)

Unfortunately, I do not have that photo of Lawrence Broderick, but the photos shown below were labeled: Germany, 84th Division Award Ceremony.

84th Division Award Ceremony, Germany, post-war.

84th Division Award Ceremony, Germany, post-war.

The next photo is also an 84th Division Award Ceremony, but was taken earlier, during the war, in Belgium.

84th Division Award Ceremony, Belgium, during the war.

Although the war was technically over, my dad had to accumulate a certain number of points before he could be discharged. During that time, after the end of the war, he was a member of the Occupation Forces in Germany. He spent part of that time working in the post office.

1 June 1945
Germany

Dear Em & Jack

This letter won’t be so awful long but a few words are better than none. I imagine by the time you have mom and them will have received the Purple Heart I sent home. You didn’t know I had one, but I’m almost as good as women when it comes to keeping secrets.

How is farming coming along? Do you have all of the corn out yet?

I’ve written quite a few letters tonight. I wrote one to Don Hoblet and I’m getting so I don’t know what to say, so I’d better sign off.

Am feeling fine and hope you are the same.

Love,
Herbie

P.S. Please send a package.

Herbert Miller, US Army, 84th Division, 333rd Company, Infantry. WWII, Battle of the Bulge.

Like so many of the WWII veterans, my dad did not talk a lot about his service and did not talk about his Purple Heart. He did like to read books and accounts of the Battle of the Bulge and of WWII.

You can tell that the women in his family were very good cooks because he kept asking them to send packages of their home-made goodies. He seemed to especially like their fruitcake. I should try to find the Miller fruitcake recipe.

 

[1] These letters are from Pfc. Herbert Miller (35845400), Co. L, 333rd Infantry, A.P.O. 84, c/o Postmaster, New York, NY, to Mr & Mrs. Carl Miller, RR1, Willshire, Ohio, or to Mr. & Mrs. Norval Weitz, RR1, Rockford, Ohio.